CONNECTIONS a men’s erotic embodiment retreat

“A great way to end and begin the year.”

NEXT RETREAT MAY 23 – 28, 2019

CONNECTIONS a men’s erotic embodiment retreat

Join Ron Stewart and Pono for CONNECTIONS, a heart-centered gathering in which to experience our ecstatic erotic bodies free of the shame, judgment, and guilt which we experience as a result of society’s denigration of man to man sex.

Explore and expand your body’s capacity for pleasure by shedding negative beliefs and habitual patterns of erotic behaviour and creating new pathways to erotic pleasure and ecstasy.

CONNECTIONS a somatic-based, experiential celebration of our masculinity and eroticism.
“Somatic” practices give us the opportunity to learn and understand by physically doing and feeling “new” patterns and sensations in our body. The learning happens on a cellular level – this is different from cerebral “textbook” learning.

“Let’s Talk About Sex” – Meal times are a great opportunity for intentional conversations which help us all to process experiences and deepen our time on retreat. Past topics have included:
– Boundaries and consent.
– How our pleasurable and unpleasant experiences are held in our body and how that shapes our current choices.
– Sex and fear in the age of HIV/AIDS.
– Celebrating your sexuality
– Online hookups! What is safe sex in 2018? PREP & PEP!!
– Positive and challenging experiences from our sexual past.
– “Coming out”, Gay Community/Ghetto/Neighbourhoods
– Envision your future, your community

**Scheduling for each retreat is tailored to meet the needs of the group.

witness feel explore expand

Erotic practices at CONNECTIONS are designed for participants to explore their own erotic bodies in community with others. Although we celebrate man to man sex, this workshop is based on more fully understanding our own body’s capacity to experience pleasure and ecstasy. Participants will experience and exchange intimate contact through intentional touch, massage, and erotic ritual. We will not be engaging in sex with each other.

recharge rejuvenate reinvent

Some programming practices will include nudity.
All male-identified people are welcome to participate at their own comfort level.

Next Retreat: WELCOME SPRING May 23-28 2019

Cost $1,550 CAN (includes retreat content, room & board)
Early Bird rate – $1,400 CAN if paid in full by April 23 2019
Arrive on May 23, 2019 anytime after 2 p.m. – programming begins at 5 p.m. Depart May 28, 2019 at 12 noon

Dorm Style Accommodations
Three healthy home-cooked meals a day including dinner on the 23rd
If you have any questions, we would be happy to have a Skype or Zoom call with you to discuss how CONNECTIONS could be a great retreat for your personal growth.

“This is my first experience witnessing the ability of people (especially gay men) to hold space and non-judgmentally support one another. This has been an invaluable experience for me.”
“You guys rock!”
“Awesome!”
“I arrived with an open mind and am leaving with an open heart.”
“I’m so inspired to live and learn through this new lens.”
“I appreciate the vulnerability of the hosts for demonstrating these (embodiment) skills. I like what I learned and hope to incorporate it into my life.”
“Thank you both for a wonderful retreat, the safe space and mutual respect were wonderful.”
“A great way to end and begin the year.”
“The retreat did a great job of developing gay men’s relationship to their own bodies”

The most valuable part of the retreat was:
“…experiencing learning and pushing boundaries with a tribe of men.”
“…all the positive energy from our 4 days together at the Retreat. I just want to thank each and every one of you for sharing your time and experiences with me. My take away was more than you will ever realize. Thanks Pono, for talking about the process of decompressing. I personally experienced a broad spectrum of emotions in the days following, most of which have been joyous and upbeat. I now have landed in a very good place.”
“Safe space, trusting, supportive.”
“I was pleased with how supportive the environment was.”
“The supportive and non-judgmental environment”

The Ecstatic Table Dance was:
“… the most fun I have had in a long time.”
“Great music! Very high energy …I enjoyed the opportunity to be a little ‘wild’ amidst more structured activities.”
“Big fan.”
“Loved this.”

BTSM:
“Excellent session. Learned lots of new techniques. Loved the music.”
“I appreciated playing with myself in new ways.”

The bossy massage was:
“Fun and an excellent lesson in listening to what our bodies want, and our right to request it. A cornerstone of my week at Skyclad.”

Ron Stewart has been offering men’s yoga classes and retreats through Skyclad since receiving his YTT certification in 2005 (Kate Potter).
As a Certified Sexological Bodyworker (Joseph Kramer – The Body Electric) and somatic sex educator, his studies in Somatic Experiencing (Peter Levine) have helped to refine his practice in the areas of intimacy and sexual wellness. He works with people of all genders and sexual orientations, assisting them to reclaim and expand their relationship to self through body based, experiential practices.
Ron currently holds the position of Vice President of the Somatic Sex Educators Association (SSEA) and is co-founder of Back to the Body sensual retreats for women.
His career as one of Canada’s prominent male contemporary dance artist’s fuels his understanding of movement and the body.
Ron guides and supports as expansion rises from contraction, light illuminates shadow and breath brings you into the moment.

Pono is a somatic sex educator and sexual wellness coach. He guides people of all gender identities, preferences and proclivities, to work through and overcome cultural, religious and familial taboos around intimacy, touch, desire, arousal and sex.
Pono utilizes knowledge from studying Focusing, (Eugene Gendlin), and the chakra system in his hands-on work with clients. For several years, he participated in First Nation/Native American rituals and ceremonies, including monthly sweat lodges and several vision quests.
Pono volunteered with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation in its award-winning Rubberman safe sex campaign, and co-facilitated their Buddy Connection workshops. He is a certified yoga instructor who did his training with Integrative Yoga Therapy. Clients have commented on his gentle, grounded presence, and warm soothing demeanor.
Find more about Pono here.

Scholarship Opportunity!!
If this retreat inspires you yet you have financial restrictions, we are open to discussing work/trade for a portion of your retreat fee. Applicants must be comfortable assisting in basic kitchen, food prep and clean up. Interested applicants contact Ron.

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A nurturing environment where you can explore your physical and spiritual self.